With Gigabit Ethernet ports, you can transfer files 10 times faster than with Fast Ethernet.
The switches are plug and play, so you can quickly add them to an existing network.
You mount these switches under a desk or on the wall.
These switches cannot be adjusted to your own wishes.
It is not possible to connect an IPTV receiver to these switches.
Description
This Netgear GS108 package includes 2 network switches that each have 8 network ports with a maximum speed of 1Gbps. These switches are plug and play, so you can add several devices to your home network without configuration. You can easily mount the switches under a desk or on the wall. These appliances have a lifetime warranty.
Introduction
I bought this 5 port switch in combination with a GS108Ev2. This is the 8 port big brother from this series. Of course there is quite a bit of choice in the market when it comes to fanless swithes.
VLAN support
I came to choose this series because I need an extra separate network connection for digital TV (Solcon-Glashardt) for my upcoming fiber optic connection. Because I only have one good Cat5e cable between the meter box and my TV and I don't feel like a wireless solution, a swictch with VLAN support could be a solution.
Normally you will soon arrive at a switch of more than 100 EUR with a built-in FAN, but that is a bit overkill for my meter cupboard.
By placing the GS105E) next to my TV, I am able to hunt multiple networks together over 1 cable (Trunken via 802.1q).
Out of the box
The GS105E comes with a CD (handy without a CD player in your laptop) containing the management software.
The device looks solid and has a steel casing and is closed from the top. It feels fairly heavy, so the switch stays put even if there are a few cables in it. The case also has the option to attach a Kensington lock (handy for use in an office). In addition to being placed on the legs, the switch can also be mounted on the wall (both horizontally and vertically).
Installation
After first installing the software from the CD, I thought it would be wise to get the latest versions of Firmware and Management software first. It soon became apparent than expected that the products would be registered. I did this well. But when downloading, the popup kept coming back asking to register (which I already did). With some tweaking (copying the URL and pasting only the last part in the address bar) I manage to download the latest management software and firmware. Fortunately, the management software is suitable for both models. The firmware, on the other hand, is specific and also looks different.
To install the firmware, the switch must have an IP address in the same subnet as the PC. Because I initially connected the switch stand-a-lone to my laptop, the device got an IP address in the range 192.168.0.x, my laptop is in 192.168.1.x. That didn't work, so I set up a fixed IP. Afterwards, I was difficult, because the switch could simply get an IP address via DHCP.
Then install the latest firmware with the management software. For the GS108E I had to do that in 2 times. The first time the switch booted in a kind of minimal fashion where the management software immediately asked for the image. With the GS105E, everything went right the first time. With the GS108Ev2, the switch was operational again after the 2nd time uploading the firmware and all settings were saved. It's nice that you can set a name for each switch in your network yourself. That makes it easier to recognize which device you're setting up with. Furthermore, each switch can be protected with a password.
Functionality
I already mentioned the possibility of using VLANs. You have the choice for basic port based and advanced 802.1q VLAN management. Only the last option was suitable for me. All in all, I thought it was a bit cumbersome. In advanced mode you can create VLANs and hang any port and 1 or more VLANs. Next, each port must have a primary VLAN ID, in case untagged packets arrive on it. Outbound can be specified whether traffic should be tagged or not. In most cases you only do this on the trunk ports, in order to separate the VLANs.
Yet there are also fiber optic modems that give VLAN tags to the Ethernet packets. If they have to be kept, then that is possible.
In any case, I managed to trunk 2 VLANs over 1 port, the reason why I bought this switch!
Furthermore, the switch has 802.1p QoS capabilities, or can be chosen for Basic prioritization of the ports (high or normal). I have not tested this further.
Furthermore, the switch has an interesting possibility to monitor which ports have a link and to see if there is traffic and any errors on a port.
Energy efficient
Both the GS108E and the GS105E come with an energy-efficient adapter that takes up little space in the socket. The switches use a maximum of 4W and ports that are not used make the switch even more economical.
Although the swicthes do not have a power switch, the GS105E had a switch in the cord. I just don't really see what the point of that could be, other than a reset?
Price
I bought this switch (GS105E) for EUR30. The 8 port brother (GS105E) cost about EUR42. A very favorable price considering the functionality and reliability.
Guarantee
Netgear provides a lifetime warranty on its products (including the power supply!).
Conclusion
All in all I am very satisfied with this switch (and also with the 8-port version). The possibilities, price, guarantee, etc. It is good for each other. Documentation could have been better, and Netgear's website wasn't cooperating either, but that's the only flaw I can mention for the time being.
Rachmat Kaligis
16 March 2016
Automatic translation off Nederlands
9,5/10 ()
Specific and essential product.
VLAN !!!
Turn 1 nic into several.
very stable.
5 ports is little .. 8 ports is not much more expensive
IEEE 802.1Q advanced possible for vlan setup.
Ideal for computers that have size 1 Ethernet port available and where installing a 2nd is difficult. Intel NUC, Laptop etc..
On your computer you can create multiple virtual interfaces that each correspond to a vlan . eg 4 interfaces on your PC then correspond to ports 2 3 4 and 5 on the switch. All traffic then flows over 1 cable to the PC that is connected to port 1.
Works very well with ESXi (vmware), with all linux flavors , freebsd .. for windows you need a good nic. most intel cards have drivers where you can create virtual devices with vlan. :
http://i.stack.imgur.com/idBYA.png
Very useful also for firewall setups. Much better solution than a USB->Ethernet module.
This is a wonderful product that people usually overlook the usefulness of.
D.D
25 August 2014
Automatic translation off Nederlands
8,0/10 ()
tv switch
I use the netgear switch for my digital TV receiver, I have 2 TVs connected to this. I have perfect HD reception on the two TVs.
from the fritzbox 7360 then comes the netgaer switch to which I have connected 2 TVs with 10 meters of ethernet cable each itself then I still have no loss of image quality
julian
1 December 2012
Automatic translation off Nederlands
Specifications
The list with properties are filtered when you type
Product
Product number
90250
Manufacturer code
GS108GE
Brand
Netgear
Warranty
Lifetime
Processing of your defect
Via Coolblue
Performance properties
Managed switch
Number of Ethernet ports
8
Ethernet speed
Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps)
Switching capacity
16 Gbit/s
SFP/GBIC ports
0
Quality of Service (QoS)
LACP Link aggregation
IGMP Snooping
VLAN
Jumbo frame support
Port mirroring
Professional use
Suitable for business use in
Home office
Power over Ethernet (PoE) properties
PoE support
Highest PoE stand
No PoE
Physical properties
Fan present
Mounting possible
Suitable for 19-inch rack mount
Weight
470 g
Color
Blue
Height
2,7 cm
Width
15,8 cm
Depth
10,2 cm
Material
Metal
Guided collections test property
1 switch | 1Gbps Ethernet speed | 0 SFP ports, 1Gbps Ethernet speed | Not suitable for 19-inch rack